New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition), “Study note on Matthew 24:3, 'presence'”
“presence: The Greek word pa·rou·siʹa (in many translations rendered “coming”) literally means “being alongside.” It refers to a presence covering a period of time rather than simply a coming or an arrival. This meaning of pa·rou·siʹa is indicated at Mt 24:37-39, where “the days of Noah . . . before the Flood” are compared to “the presence of the Son of man.” At Php 2:12, Paul used this Greek word to describe his “presence” in contrast to his “absence.””
The current study note. Its two supporting arguments — the comparison with Noah's days and Paul's contrast between presence and absence — are both drawn from the New Testament's own usage and are reasonable as far as they go.
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Provenance and verification note for New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition), Study note on Matthew 24:3, 'presence'
Confidence note. Study note read in full on the nwtsty Matthew chapter 24 page on wol.jw.org, 19 September 2026. Independent audit, 19 September 2026: the quotation had silently expanded the Watchtower Online Library's own Bible-book abbreviations (and, at Hebrews 1:6, dropped a parenthetical cross-reference). Restored to the wording on the page.
Corroborated by. src-nwtv-int-app3b
Accessed. 19 September 2026 · Source ID. src-nwtv-nwtsty-note-matt-24-3